What the latest NBA mock drafts are predicting for the Utah Jazz, AJ Dybantsa and Richie Saunders
Deseret News • • sports
Key Points:
- AJ Dybantsa (BYU) and Darryn Peterson (Kansas) are the leading prospects expected to go first and second overall in the 2026 NBA draft, with Dybantsa widely projected as the No. 1 pick by multiple mock drafts.
- The Utah Jazz hold the No. 2 overall pick and are heavily favored to select Darryn Peterson, who is praised for his scoring ability and playmaking, though medical evaluations regarding his cramps and injuries remain a key factor.
- Dybantsa is seen as a high-level scoring wing with strong physical tools and potential two-way impact, making him an ideal fit for the Washington Wizards, who hold the No. 1 pick.
- BYU’s Richie Saunders is projected as a second-round pick despite recently suffering a torn ACL that ended his college career; he is valued as a hard-nosed, two-way wing with shooting skills, though his NBA impact remains uncertain.
- The 2026 NBA draft will take place on June 23-24, with the Jazz aiming to build around Peterson alongside established players, while Dybantsa is expected to join the Wizards and potentially transform their roster.